Articulated haulage vehicle

ABSTRACT

The haulage vehicle has a frame member with separate front and rear sections that are connected to each other by universal means and are free to articulate in a plurality of planes. The frame rear section has a transversely mounted rear axle adjacent the rear portion on which a pair of propelling wheels are mounted and a transversely mounted intermediate axle adjacent the front portion of the frame rear section on which a pair of intermediate propelling wheels are mounted. The frame front section has a transversely mounted front axle on which a pair of front propelling wheels are mounted. Separate propelling motors are mounted adjacent each of the propelling wheels and are drivingly connected to the adjacent propelling wheel. All of the propelling wheels are steerable and the drive motors are movable therewith. A body member is supported on the frame rear section and a boom member is supported on the frame front section. The boom member is connected to the body member by a plurality of longitudinally extending flexible plates, so that the boom and body members are free to articulate in a plurality of planes. Endless conveying means are positioned in the longitudinal haulage compartment formed by the body and boom members. With this arrangement all of the propelling wheels on the haulage vehicle remain in contact with the ground as the haulage vehicle moves over uneven terrain and the haulage vehicle follows the contour of the uneven terrain.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 347,646, filed Apr. 4, 1973.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an articulated haulage vehicle having separatebody and boom members supported by a frame member with six propellingwheels mounted thereon and more particularly to an articulated haulagevehicle having separate body and boom members supported on a framemember in which front and rear sections of the frame are free toarticulate in a plurality of planes.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Articulated haulage vehicles are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,962,176;3,185,324; 3,302,739; 3,443,655; 3,490,625; 3,501,033 and 3,516,508.

The haulage vehicles disclosed in the above enumerated United Statespatents that have six wheels all include a pair of body sectionspivotally connected to each other by a hinge pin connection adjacent tothe intermediate pair of wheels. The hinge pin connection between thebody sections limits the articulation of the haulage vehicle bodysections to a single plane, so that all of the wheels do not remain incontact with the ground as the vehicle moves over uneven terrain and thehaulage vehicle does not follow uneven terrain. The haulage vehicledisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,962,176 is limited to providing tractionfor the vehicle only through the pair of intermediate propelling wheels.In U.S. Pat. No. 3,185,324 the pairs of intermediate and rear wheels aredriven to thus provide traction through four of the six wheels on thehaulage vehicle. The drive means for the haulage vehicle disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 3,302,739 includes motorized wheels in which drive motorsare housed within the periphery of each of the wheels to thus providetraction to all six wheels of the haulage vehicle.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,516,508 there is disclosed a four wheel haulagevehicle having a unitary flexible body mounted on rigid axle assemblies.The body is constructed to articulate in a plurality of planes tomaintain all four wheels in contact with uneven terrain.

There is a need for a six wheel haulage vehicle that is capable ofarticulating in a plurality of planes so that all of the wheels remainin contact with the uneven terrain and also a six wheel haulage vehiclein which all of the wheels are propelling wheels and are driven byseparate drive motors positioned adjacent to the respective wheels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provided an articulatedhaulage vehicle that has a frame member with a front section and a rearsection. Means are provided for connecting the front section to the rearsection to permit articulation therebetween. A pair of rear wheels aremounted on opposite sides of the frame member rear section adjacent therear portion of the frame member rear section. A pair of intermediatewheels are mounted on opposite sides of the frame member rear sectionadjacent the front portion of the rear section. A pair of front wheelsare mounted on opposite sides of the frame member front section adjacentthe front end portion of the frame member front section. A body memberhaving a longitudinally extending haulage compartment therein is mountedon the frame member rear section. A boom having a longitudinallyextending haulage compartment therein is mounted on the frame memberfront section. Flexible means connects the boom member to the bodymember to permit articulation therebetween.

The pairs of rear wheels, intermediate wheels and front wheels are bothdriven and steerable and separate drive motors are provided for each ofthe driven wheels. The flexible means connecting the boom member to thebody member includes means to permit articulation between the bodymember and boom member in a plurality of different planes.

With the above arrangement, there is now provided a six wheel haulagevehicle in which each of the wheels is a propelling wheel and ispropelled by a separate motor positioned adjacent thereto. The universaland flexible connections between the frame sections and the body andboom members permits the vehicle to articulate in a plurality of planesand thus follow the contour of uneven terrain while all of thepropelling wheels remain in contact with the ground as the vehicle movesover uneven terrain.

Accordingly, the principal object of this invention is to provide a sixwheel haulage vehicle capable of articulating in a plurality of planesand follow the contour of uneven terrain.

Another object of this invention is to provide a six wheel articulatedhaulage vehicle in which all of the wheels remain in contact with theground as the vehicle moves over uneven terrain.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will be morecompletely disclosed and described in the following specification, theaccompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the haulage vehicle.

FIG. 1a is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation of the device forattaching the vehicle boom to the vehicle body.

FIG. 1b is a view in section taken along the line 1b--1b in FIG. 1a,illustrating in detail the device for attaching the vehicle boom to thevehicle body.

FIG. 1c is a fragmentary view in elevation taken along the line 1c--1cin FIG. 1, illustrating the manner in which the vehicle body is securedto the vehicle frame.

FIG. 1d is a view section taken along the line 1d--1d in FIGS. 1 and 1a,illustrating the universal coupling portion of the device for attachingthe vehicle boom to the vehicle body.

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the haulage vehicle, illustratingin phantom lines the vehicle boom in an elevated material dischargingposition.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the vehicle frame on which the vehiclebody, vehicle boom, propelling wheels, drive motors and the like aremounted.

FIG. 3a is a fragmentary view in section taken along the line 3a--3a inFIG. 3, illustrating the manner in which one end of the transverse axleassemblies are connected to the vehicle frame side members.

FIG. 4 is a view in section and side elevation taken along the lineIV--IV of FIG. 3, illustrating the manner in which the sections of thevehicle frame longitudinal side members are connected to each other.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the vehicle boom.

FIG. 6 is a view in side elevation of the vehicle boom illustrated inFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view in section taken along the line VII--VII of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the vehicle body.

FIG. 8a is a fragmentary view of the bumper connecting apparatus.

FIG. 8b is a view in section taken along the line 8b--8b in FIG. 8a,illustratng in detail the resilient shock absorbing portion of thebumper connecting apparatus.

FIG. 8c is a fragmentary view in elevation taken along the line 8c--8cin FIG. 8a.

FIG. 9 is a view in side elevation of the vehicle body illustrated inFIG. 8.

FIG. 9a is a fragmentary view in section, illustrating the manner inwhich the longitudinal flexible plates are connected to the front end ofthe vehicle body and rear end of the boom.

FIG. 10 is a view in section taken along the line X--X of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10a is a fragmentary view in section, illustrating the manner inwhich the vehicle body is supported on the vehicle frame side members inthe embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-10.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the flexible connectionbetween the vehicle frame side member sections.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11, illustrating the flexibleconnection of FIG. 11 is a deflected position.

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of the manner in which the sixpropelling wheels of the haulage vehicle remain in contact withundulating surfaces of a haulageway.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the haulage vehicle.

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the frame of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 14.

FIG. 15a is a fragmentary view in section taken along the line 15a--15ain FIG. 15, illustrating the connection between the frame side membersections in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15.

FIG. 16 is a view in section and side elevation taken along the lineXVI--XVI in FIG. 15.

FIG. 16a is an enlarged fragmentary view of the cross member receiver inthe vehicle side frame members with the cross member positioned thereinand the vehicle body supported thereon.

FIG. 16b is a fragmentary view in section taken along the lines 16b--16bin FIG. 16a illustrating the depending angle lugs on the bottom of thebody to maintain the body in position on the cross member.

FIG. 17 is a view in section taken along the line XVII--XVII in FIG. 14,illustrating the manner in which the boom rear end portion and the bodyfront end portion are supported on a transverse plate on the vehicleframe.

FIG. 17a is a fragmentary plan view in section taken along the line17a--17a of FIG. 17.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGS. 1-12 there isillustrated a haulage vehicle generally designated by the numeral 10that includes a frame member 12 which supports a body member 14 and aboom member 16. The frame member 12 is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 3and 4 and includes a pair of spaced parallel and longitudinallyextending side frame members generally designated by the numerals 18 and20. The side frame members 18 and 20 each has an angular configurationin elevation with a horizontal flange or base portion 22 and a verticalflange or wall 24. The right side frame member 18 has a rear section 26and a front section 28 that are connected to each other by means of theflexible connecting device generally designated by the numeral 30.Similarly, the left side frame 20 has a rear section 32 and a frontsection 34 that are connected by means of a similar flexible connectingdevice 30.

The rear side frame sections 26 and 32 are connected in spaced parallelrelation to each other by transverse beams or plates 36, 38 and 40. Thebeam 36 extends beyond the side frames 18 and 20 and is arranged, aslater discussed, to support the drive motors for the rear pair ofpropelling wheels. The transverse member 38 also extends beyond the sideframes 18 and 20 and has longitudinally extending pads 42 and 44 securedthereto. The pad 42 is arranged to support the controller 46 (FIG. 1)and the hydraulic pump motor 48. The pad 44 secured to the transversebeam 38 on the left side of the haulage vehicle is arranged to supportthe traction control box 50 that houses electrical controls such ascontactors, switches and the like for the propelling motors. Thetransverse beam 40 is arranged to support the drive motors for theintermediate propelling wheels, as later discussed.

The front sections 28 and 34 of the side frames 18 and 20 are connectedto each other in spaced parallel relation by transverse beams 52 and 54.The beam 52 extends beyond the side frame members 18 and 20 and has apad 56 secured thereto that supports a hydraulic tank 58 and a portionof the cable reel housing 60, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The operator'scompartment 62 is supported by the end portion 64 of transverse beam 52on the left side of the haulage vehicle 10. The wiring for the electricmotors, the hydraulic hoses for the fluid actuated components and thesteering apparatus have been omitted to more clearly illustrate thenovel structural features of the haulage vehicle 10.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 4, 11 and 12 there is illustrated indetail the flexible connecting device 30 between side frame membersections 26 and 28 and between the other side frame sections 32 and 34.The flexible connecting device 30 will be described with reference toleft side frame member 20 and it should be understood that a similarflexible connecting device 30 is employed to connect sections 26 and 28of the right side frame 18.

The flexible connecting device 30 includes a first flexible strapengaging device 66 that has a body portion 68 secured to thehorizontally extending base 22 of side frame member 20 and has verticalbolt holes 70 and 72 therethrough. A top plate or cap portion 74 ispositioned in overlying relation with the base portion 68 and hasaligned vertical bolt holes 76 and 78. The body portion 68 has a bearingsurface 80 adjacent the front end 82, a rear clamping surface 84 and anintermediate upper surface 86. The intermediate upper surface 86 mateswith a lower surface 88 of the top plate 74 and forms a longitudinalrecess 90 therebetween in the first flexible strap engaging device 66.

A pair of flexible strap members 92 and 94, preferably fabricated fromhigh tensile flexible steel, are positioned in overlying relation witheach other and have pairs of rear apertures 96 and 98 that are alignedwith the bolt holes in the body portion 68 and top plate 74. Bolts 100and 102 extending through the respective aligned bolt holes in the topplate 74 and body portion 68 with the strap members 92 and 94therebetween rigidly secure the rear portion of the flexible strapmembers 92 and 94 to the engaging device 66 with the front portions ofstrap members 92 and 94 extending forwardly therefrom.

The front side frame member section 34 has a second strap engagingdevice 104 secured to the vertical wall 24 of side frame section 34adjacent the side frame section rear end portion. The engaging member104 has a bottom portion 106 with a pair of bolt holes 108 and 110extending vertically therethrough and a rearwardly extending bearingportion 112. The bearing portion 112 has a semi-spherical base 114 thatabuts the bearing surface 80 of engaging member 66 and an inclined uppersurface 116. The bottom member 106 has a strap engaging rear uppersurface 118 and an intermediate upper surface 120.

The second strap engaging device 104 has a top plate or cap member 122with a pair of vertical bolt holes 124 and 126. The rear bearing portion128 of top plate 122 has an upper semi-spherical bearing surface 130 anda lower inclined surface 132. The front end portions of strap members 92and 94 have bolt holes 134 and 136 therethrough that are aligned withthe bolt holes in the members 106 and 122. Bolts 138 and 140 secure thestraps between the members 106 and 122 to flexibly connect the sideframe rear section 32 to the side frame front section 34. A bearingplate 142 is secured to the vertical wall 24 of the side frame rearportion 32 and has a bearing undersurface 144 that abuts the sphericalbearing surface 130 of cap member 122. The inclined surfaces 116 and 132of respective bearing portions 112 and 128 provide a recessed portionfor flexing of the straps 92 and 94 on an elongated radius to preventsharp bends and crimping in the straps 92 and 94. With this arrangementthe respective side frame sections 32 and 34, because of the flexibleproperties of the straps 92 and 94, are free to flex in all planesincluding longitudinally extending planes and planes transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the side frames. The spherical bearing surfaces 114and 130 permit the transverse flexing of the side frame members 18 and20 to maintain all of the propelling wheels in contact with anundulating haulageway, as later discussed. Further, the flexibleconnecting device 30 may be quickly disassembled to disconnet the frontend of the haulage vehicle frame, i.e., the portion containing the sideframe sections 28 and 34, from the rear portion of the frame containingside frame sections 26 and 32. This quick disconnect facilitatesassembly and disassembly of the haulage vehicle so that the haulagevehicle may be taken into underground mines in sections. As laterdiscussed, the body member 14 and the boom member 16 may also be quicklyand easily positioned on and removed from the frame to furtherfacilitate transporting components of the haulage vehicle.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 3a, the axle assemblies for supporting thepropelling wheels and the manner in which the axle assemblies areconnected to the frame side members is illustrated. The rear axleassembly 146 extends transversely between the side frame members 18 and20 and is rigidly secured to the horizontal flange portion 22 of sideframe 20 by means of bolts 148 and 152. The axle assembly 146 isconnected to the side frame 18 by a spherical bearing type universalconnection or coupling generally designated by the numeral 154 andillustrated in detail in FIG. 3a.

Referring to FIG. 3a, the axle asembly 146 has a base plate member 156with a wheel unit support pad 158 thereon. An upstanding connectingmember 162, also illustrated in FIG. 4 with reference to theintermediate axle assembly, is secured to wheel unit support pad 158 andhas a receiving socket 164 of a generally semi-spherical configuration.The side frame vertical flange 24 has an aperture 166 therethrough witha backing plate 168. A pin member 172 extends through the aperture 166and has a spherical bearing end portion 174 that is positioned in socket164 mounted on the axle assembly 146. The pin 172 is suitably secured tothe side frame vertical flange 24 to thus provide a universal connectionbetween the longitudinal side frame 18 and the axle assembly 146.Driven, steerable wheel units 176 having propelling wheels 178 mountedthereon are suitably connected to the wheel unit support pads 158secured to the ends of plate 156 of assembly 146. Reversible drivemotors 182 and 184 are suitably supported on the ends of transverse beam36 and are connected to the wheel units 176 by gearing within a reducerhousing 186. With this arrangement, the right rear wheel 178 is drivenin both directions by means of right rear drive motor 182 and the leftrear wheel 178 is driven in both directions by the left rear drive motor184 through the gearing in housing 186. Both rear wheels 178 are steeredand driven by separate drive motors. The entire axle assembly 146 isfree to flex along a transverse axis by means of the universalconnection 154 and the rear propelling wheels 178 can change elevationand remain in contact with a transverse inclined surface of a haulageway without transmitting undue twisting forces into the side frames 18and 20.

An intermediate axle assembly 188 is of substantially the sameconstruction as the rear axle assembly 146 and includes a universalconnection 154, as previously described, between the axle assembly 188and the vehicle side frame member 20. The axle assembly 188 is rigidlysecured to the horizontal flange 22 of right side frame 18 by bolts 148and 152. The axle assembly 188 has wheel units 192 supported on the endsthereof with intermediate propelling wheels 194 mounted thereon. Thewheel units 192 are arranged to permit the intermediate wheels to besteered and suitably connects the intermediate wheels 194 throughgearing in housing 196 to separate drive motors 198. With thisarrangement, the intermediate axle assembly 188 is universally connectedto the side frame member 20 in a manner similar to rear axle assembly146 and has a pair of steered and separately driven wheels 194 mountedthereon.

A front axle assembly 202 is similar in many respects to the previouslydescribed rear axle assembly 146 and intermediate axle assembly 188 andhas a universal type connection similar to the previously describedconnection 154 that connects the front axle assembly 202 to the rightside frame 18. The axle assembly 202 is fixedly secured by bolts 148 and152 to the horizontal flange 22 of side frame member 20. Wheel units 204similar to the wheel units 192 and 176, previously described, support apair of front wheels 206 that are similarly steerable through therespective wheel units 204 and are separately driven in both directionsby separate motors 208 through gearing in housings 210. It should benoted that all of the motors 182, 198 and 208 are similar inconstruction and are similarly mounted on the vehicle frame. The wheelunits 176, 192 and 204 are also of substantially the same constructionand are interchangeable. The speed reducer housings 186, 196 and 210connecting the respective motors to the wheel units are also of similarconstruction and interchangeable. The similarity and interchangeabilityof these components reduces substantially the number of repair andreplacement parts required to be maintained in inventory. Further, withthe above arrangement, the vehicle frame 12 with the axle assembliesmounted thereon may be articulated in any longitudinal or transverseplane within practical limits to maintain all six of the propellingwheels in contact with an uneven and undulating road surface so that allsix wheels continue to provide traction for the haulage vehicle at alltimes.

The ability of the vehicle to articulate both longitudinally andtransversely is illustrated schematically in FIG. 13 where the frontwheels 206 are designated by broken lines (----) and the transverseinclination of the haulage way surface beneath the front propellingwheels 206 is illustrated by a broken line (----). FIG. 13 is a view inelevation from the rear of the vehicle and, as illustrated, the roadsurface beneath the front wheels 206 is inclined transversely so thatthe right front wheel is substantially higher than the left front wheel.The previously described frame 12 and the axle assemblies maintain thefront wheels 206 in contact with the road surface to provide tractionthrough the front wheels 206 for the vehicle 10.

The intermediate wheels 194 are indicated in solid lines and the surfaceof the haulageway beneath the intermediate wheels is also indicated by asolid line. The surface of the roadway in the schematic illustrationbeneath the intermediate wheels 194 is substantially level and both ofthe intermediate wheels 194 are in contact with the road surface andprovide traction for the haulage vehicle. Without the transversearticulation provided by means of the universal connections 154 and theflexible strap connection 30, the right intermediate wheel 194 would beelevated and at the same elevation as the front right propelling wheel206 and would not be in contact with the road surface and would not becapable of providing traction for the haulage vehicle under the roadsurface conditions illustrated.

To further illustrate the transverse and longitudinal flexibility of thehaulage vehicle, the rear propelling wheels 178 are schematicallydesignated by dash-dot-dash lines (-.-). As viewed from the rear of thehaulage vehicle, the road surface beneath the rear propelling wheels 178is inclined transversely so that the right rear wheel 178 is below theleft rear wheel and yet all six wheels are in contact with the roadsurface and each of the propelling wheels provide traction for thehaulage vehicle. Essentially, with the undulations illustrated in FIG.13 the vehicle has flexed transversely in two opposite directions. Thefront portion of the haulage vehicle, in order to follow the contour ofthe road surface, has flexed in a counter-clockwise direction about theaxis of the vehicle and the vehicle rear portion has flexed in aclockwise direction about the axis of the vehicle.

The frame member 12 with the previously described components attachedthereto forms a relatively complete vehicle and includes all of theelements or components necessary to propel and steer the vehicle. Theframe 12 is constructed to receive any suitable type of body that wouldprovide haulage compartments of various configurations for differenttypes of material. For example, an elongated generally rectangular dumpbody could be suitably attached to the frame with dump jacks connectedthereto to elevate one end of the body. Similarly, other conventionalbody types could be supported by the frame.

The preferred use for the haulage vehicle herein described is a shuttletype haulage vehicle arranged to transport dislodged material in a minehaulageway from a continuously advancing loading station to a fixeddischarge station. The loading station is adjacent the mine face and thedischarge station includes receiving apparatus such as a conveyor beltor mine cars located in a haulageway spaced from the mine face. Theshuttle type haulage vehicle is capable of continuously transportingmaterial as the loading station advances with the mine face during themining operation. The shuttle type haulage vehicle employed for thispurpose preferably has an elongated generally U-shaped haulagecompartment with a bottom wall or floor portion and substantiallyvertical side walls. Endless conveying means are conventionally providedto convey the material along the floor of the haulage compartment anddistribute the material throughout the haulage compartment as thevehicle is being loaded at one end by loading apparatus. The endlessconveying means is also utilized to discharge material from the haulagecompartment after the haulage vehicle has transported the dislodgedmaterial to the fixed discharge station.

It is also conventional with the shuttle type haulage vehicle to providea boom member that is pivotally connected at one end and has elevatingjack members at the discharge end of the vehicle so that the end of theboom member may be elevated and discharge the material into an elevatedreceiver at the discharge station. The endless conveyor along the floorof the haulage compartment is conventionally an endless chain typeconveyor reeved about suitable end sprockets to provide an upperconveying reach and a return reach positioned therebelow. It should beunderstood, however, that the previously described frame member 12 withthe components secured thereto is not limited to use as a frame for abody and boom member as hereinafter described and may be utilized withother types of body members having haulage compartments suitable forspecific types of material and use.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 8, 9 and 10, the haulage vehicle body member 14 isillustrated in detail and includes a pair of upstanding side walls 224and transverse straps 226 therebetween. The side walls 224 have inwardlyextending flange portions 228 secured to the straps 226. Reinforcingstraps 230 are secured to the transverse straps 226 to support thereturn reach of the endless conveyor. A pair of channels 232 and 234 arepositioned in back-to-back abutting relation with the flange membersextending outwardly therefrom and are secured to the straps 226. A floorplate 236 is positioned between the channel 234 and the upstanding wall224 and is supported by means of angles secured to the respectivechannel 234 and side wall 224 to provide a return flight compartment 238between the straps 226 and the floor plate 236. A similar floor plate242 is secured by means of angles to the respective channel 232 andvertical side wall 224 to form compartment 240 between the plate 242 andthe straps 226. An angle 244 is positioned in overlying relation withthe abutting channels 232 and 234 and extends longitudinally along thebody 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9a, the floor plates 236 and 242 have atransverse bar 246 secured thereto with a plurality of bolt holes 248therethrough. A top plate 252 having mating bolt holes 254 is arrangedto be secured to the transverse plate 246 and clampingly engage the rearend portion of the flexible plates 250 therebetween.

Extending forwardly from the web portions of the channels 232 and 234 isa clevis or yoke 256 illustrated in detail in FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c. Theclevis 256 has a central recessed portion 258 and forwardly extendingarms 260 with aligned apertures 262 therethrough. The portions of theclevis 256 are suitably bolted to the web portins of the channels asillustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b. The clevis 256 is one portion of theattaching device for attaching the rear end portion of boom 16 to thefront end portion of body 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 10a, the body 14 has angle members 264and 266 depending from the outer portion of side walls 224 withreinforcing gussets 268 rigidly securing the angles 264 and 266 to thebody side walls 224. The vertical portions 272 of angles 264 and 266have apertures 274 therethrough that are aligned with mating apertures276 in side walls 224. The detailed construction of the angle member 266and body side wall 224 with the apertures therethrough is illustrated inFIG. 10a. The body member 14 has a pair of bumper connecting devicesgenerally designated by the numeral 282 secured to the side walls 224adjacent the rear of the body member 14. The body member 14 also hasvertical bolt holes 284 through the flanges of the channel 234 adjacentthe rear of the body 14 and vertical bolt holes 286 through the flangesof channel 232 adjacent the front end of the body 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1c and 10a, body 14 is supported on the frame12 by a four-point suspension wherein the front end of the body isconnected to the frame 12 by means of an elongated bolt 288 extendingthrough a mating bolt hole 292 in the intermediate axle assembly 188 andadjacent its rear end portion by an elongated bolt 294 extending throughthe bolt hole 284 in the web of channel 234 and a mating bolt hole 296in the rear axle assembly 146. A fibrous pad 280 as, for example, a padof brake lining material, is positioned between the webs of the channels232 and 234 and the transverse plate 156 of the respective axle assemblyto serve as a bearing member between the respective surfaces. The mannerin which the body 14 is bolted to the axle assemblies substantiallyalong its longitudinal axis is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1c in that thebolts 288 and 294 extend through the web portions of the channels 232and 234 that are on the longitudinal axis of the body 14.

The body side portions 224 are supported from the vehicle frame sidemembers 18 and 20 by the universal pin connection illustrated in FIG.10a. The body 14 is positioned with depending channels 264 and 266 inoverlying relation with the vertical portion 24 of the vehicle frameside members 18 and 20 and the apertures in the body side members 224are aligned with mating apertures 298 in the upstanding leg or flange 24of frame members 18 and 20. The apertures 298 in the frame verticalportion 24 have a semi-spherical socket 300 secured therein. A sphericalbearing 302 is positioned in the socket 300 and has a pin 304 extendingthrough the body side wall apertures 274 and 276 to thus provide a balland socket connection between the body side walls and the frame sidemembers. With this arrangement, when the haulage vehicle articulates ortwists transversely the bolt connections to the axle assemblies being onthe longitudinal axis of the body and haulage vehicle transmits aminimum deflection to the vehicle body. The ball and socket connectionsbetween the vehicle side frames and the vehicle body permit articulationwithin limits therebetween without transmitting twisting stresses to thevehicle body.

The boom member generally designated by the numeral 16 is illustrated indetail in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 and includes a pair of upstanding side walls306 with inwardly extending flange portions 308. Transverse straps 310are secured to the inwardly extending flange members. A pair ofreinforcing straps 320 are secured to the transverse straps 310 andsupport the return reach of the endless conveyor. A pair of abuttingchannels 312 and 314 extend longitudinally along the boom member on thelongitudinal axis thereof and are arranged with the upper and lowerflanged portions 316 and 318 extending outwardly therefrom. Alongitudinal floor plate 322 is supported by a pair of angles 324 and326 secured respectively to upstanding wall 306 and the web of channel314. A similar floor plate 328 is supported on angles 332 and 334secured respectively to the upstanding side wall 306 and the channel312. An elongated angle bar 336 is secured to the flanges 316 on channelmembers 312 and 314. The rear end of the boom 16 has a transverse bar344 connected to the vertical walls 306 with a plurality of bolt holes346. The transverse bar 344 is similar to the bar 246 illustrated inFIG. 9a connected to the front end of the body member 14.

A pair of depending bearing pads 348 are connected to the plate 310beneath the inturned flange portins 308 of side walls 306 and arearranged as illustrated in FIG. 1 to rest on the transverse front axleassembly 202. A pair of piston cylinder telescopic elevating jacks 352illustrated in FIG. 2 are secured at one end to the boom 16 by means ofsuitable pins extending through apertures 354 and the other end of thejack is pivotally connected to the frame member at 356. With thisarrangement, extension of the telescopic jack 352 lifts the front end ofboom member 16 to the elevated discharge position illustrated in -..-lines in FIG. 2.

A conveyor drive motor support 358 is secured to the boom side wall 306and is arranged to support a gear reducer housing 362 with a motor 364mounted thereon, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The gear reducer 362 andmotor 364 are similar to the propelling motors and reducer housingspreviously described with reference to the propelling wheels and arepreferably interchangeable therewith. A conveyor drive shaft 366(FIG. 1) is rotatably supported in the boom member front end receivers368 and has drive sprockets 372 thereon to rotate the drive shaft andsprockets and move the endless chain conveyors generally designated bythe numerals 374 and 376. A cable support 370 is secured to theupstanding side walls 306 of boom 16 and has suitable pulleys thereinfor supporting the cable wound on the cable reel 390. The cable thatprovides power for the electrical components of the vehicle is notillustrated, since the cable reel and cable reel support are ofconventional construction.

Connected to the channel members 312 and 314 adjacent the rear endthereof is a tongue-like strap member 378 with an aperture 382therethrough. The strap 378 is arranged to be positioned between thearms 260 of clevis 256 illustrated in FIG. 1a, 1b and 1d.

The boom member 16 is positioned on the frame member 12, as isillustrated in FIG. 1, with the bearing pads 348 resting on bearingsurfaces of the front axle assembly 202. The forwardly extendingflexible straps 250 secured to the front end of the body member 14 havetheir front end portions secured to the rear end of the boom 16 in amanner similar to that illustrated in FIG. 9a, so that the body 14 isconnected to the boom 16 by means of a plurality of flexible straps 250.The straps 250 are preferably made of a high tensile flexible steel sothat the straps 250 are free to flex as the boom 16 is elevated fordischarge of the material in the haulage vehicle and to permit flexingand twisting of the haulage vehicle as the vehicle travels over unevenand undulating haulageway surfaces.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1a, 1b and 1d, the strap 378 extendingrearwardly from the boom webs 312 and 314 extends between the arms 260of clevis 256 and has a spherical socket 386 therein. A pin member 388has a semi-spherical portion 392 that mates with the semi-sphericalsocket 386. The pin member is secured in the clevis arms 260. It shouldbe noted that the clevis arms 260 are secured to the webs 232 and 234 ofthe body channels by bolts 398 and 400 to permit the boom member 16 tobe disengaged from the body member 14.

With the above described arrangement, the boom member 16 is supported bymeans of a three-point suspension comprising the bearing pads 348 andthe strap 378 attached to clevis 256. With this arrangement, thetransverse twisting of the frame due to uneven road surfaces istransmitted through the three-point support and the universal clevisconnection illustrated in FIG. 1d permits twisting of the frame member12 without transmitting the twisting stresses into the boom member 16.The straps 250 are flexible and capable of withstanding the twistingstresses as the vehicle travels over uneven road surfaces withouttransmitting the twisting stresses to the relatively rigid portions ofthe body member 14 and boom member 16.

With the haulage vehicle 10 above described it will be apparent that thepropelling wheels 178, 194 and 206 are secured to the frame side members18 and 20 in a manner that the vehicle wheels can follow uneven contoursin the road surface and remain in contact therewith, so that all of thepropelling wheels can provide traction for the haulage vehicle 10 andwithout imparting excessive twisting forces to the axle assemblies.Further, the sections 26 and 28 of the frame side member 18 and sections32 and 34 of frame side member 20 are connected by a flexible strapmeans to permit twisting therebetween caused by the frame memberfollowing undulating road surfaces without imparting undue twistingstresses into the elongated frame members 18 and 20.

The body member 14 is supported on the frame member 12 by means of afour-point suspension indicated in FIG. 1 at the intersection of thelines -..- designated by the letters A, B, C and D. The side portions ofthe body 14 are connected to the frame members 18 and 20 by a universalconnection 154 illustrated in FIG. 10a, so that the frame members 18 and20 are free to twist and flex without transmitting the torsional forcesto the body 14. The body 14 is connected to rear axle assembly 146 andintermediate axle assembly 188 by means of bolts 288 and 294substantially along the longitudinal axis of the body 14 so that aminimum of the transverse deflection of the axle assemblies onundulating surfaces is transmitted to the body 14. The other remainingportion of the haulage vehicle, i.e., the boom member, is connected bythe previously discussed three-point suspension to thus minimize thetransmission of the twisting and flexing of the vehicle frame into theboom member 16.

The body member 14 has a longitudinally extending haulage compartmentformed by the body side walls 224 and the floor plates 236 and 242 tothus form a generally U-shaped haulage compartment. The boom member 16has a similar U-shaped haulage compartment formed by the side members306 and floor plates 332 and 328. Between the floor plates 236 and 242and the transverse straps 226 of body member 14 there is provided a pairof return flight compartments 238 and 240 (FIG. 10) and the boom member16 has a similar pair of compartments 402 and 418 (FIG. 7) for thereturn flights of the endless chain conveyors 374 and 376. The endlesschain conveyor 374 has transverse conveyor flights 375 that are arrangedto slide on the upper surface of boom floor plate 322, flexibleconnecting plates 250 and body portion floor plate 236 to conveymaterial longitudinally in the haulage compartment. The endless chain ofconveyor 374 is reeved about a drive sprocket 372 on drive shaft 366adjacent the front end of the boom and reeved about a return idlersprocket beneath the bumper 404. The return idler is not shown.Similarly, the endless conveyor 376 has conveyor flights 377 that slideon the upper surface of boom floor plate 328, the flex straps 250 andthe body floor plate 242. The return reaches of the endless conveyors374 and 376 move through the compartments 238 and 240 of body member 14and compartments 402 and 418 of boom member 16. With this arrangement,the endless conveyors 374 and 376 are arranged to distribute thematerial discharged into the rear portion of the haulage vehicle andalso to discharge the material from the haulage compartment through theopen front end portion of the boom 16.

The bumper 404 illustrated in FIG. 1 is connected to the body 14 bymeans of the bumper connecting device 282 shown in FIGS. 8, 8a, 8b and8c. The bumper support device includes a cylindrical member 406 securedto the body side wall 224 by plates 408 and 410. Both of the frames 18and 20, as illustrated in FIG. 8a with reference to side frame member20, have an abutment member 412 secured thereto with a rear edge 400closely adjacent to plate 410 to receive forces transmitted from thebumper 404 through a pin 414 and resilient cushion member 416. With thisarrangement, forces exerted on the bumper 404 are taken up by theresilient cushioning member 416. If the forces exerted on the bumper aresubstantial, the excessive force is transmitted through plate 410 intoabutment member 412 on the frame member 20. The abutment member 412 isso arranged that the excessive forces are transmitted from the bumper tothe longitudinal members of frames 18 and 20 without distorting the bodymember 14.

EMBODIMENT ILLUSTRATED IN FIGURES 14 - 17

In FIGS. 14 - 17 there is illustrated another embodiment of the haulagevehicle 510 that includes a frame member 512 on which a body member 514and a boom member 516 are supported. The body member 514 is similar inmany respects to the body member 14 previously described and illustratedin FIGS. 8 and 9. The boom member 516 is substantially the same as theboom member 16 previously described and illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.The principal difference between the embodiment of the haulage vehicle10 previously described and the embodiment of the haulage vehicle 510illustrated in FIGS. 14 - 17 are the manner in which the frame sidemember sections are connected to each other. The connection for theframe side members is illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 15a. The axleassemblies also differ from the previously described axle assemblies inthat the hereinafter described axle assemblies are formed by twoseparate plates rigidly connected to the frame side members. Thehereinafter described axle assemblies are illustrated in detail in FIG.15. The body member 514 is supported on a transverse body supportingbeam connected to the side frame members rather than by the universalconnections illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 10a and previously described. Inthe hereinafter described embodiment the front end of the body member514 is bolted to a transverse bar portion of the frame and isillustrated in FIGS. 17 and 17a. The rear portion of the boom issupported solely by the transverse bar portion of the frame.

It should be understood that a haulage vehicle in accordance with theherein described invention may include some or all of the features ofthe embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 - 12 and/or include some or all ofthe features of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 - 17 withoutdeparting from the hereindescribed invention. For example, the flexibleconnection 30, previously described, for the frame members could besubstituted for the universal connection illustrated in FIG. 15a or theaxle assemblies of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15 - 17 could besubstituted for the previously described axle assemblies of theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 - 12.

The haulage vehicle 510 has a unitary frame member 512 supporting thebody member 514 and boom member 516. The frame member 512 is illustratedin detail in FIGS. 15 and 16 and includes a pair of spaced parallel andlongitudinally extending side frame members generally designated by thenumerals 518 and 520. Both of the side frame members have an angularconfiguration in elevation with a horizontal flange or base portion 522and a vertical flange or wall 524. The right side frame member 518 has arear section 526 and a front section 528 that are connected to eachother by means of a universal connecting device generally designated bythe numeral 530. Similarly, the left side frame member 520 has a rearsection 532 and a front section 534 with the sections connected to eachother by a similar universal connecting device 530. The rear side framesections 526 and 532 are connected in spaced parallel relation to eachother by transverse beams 536, 538 and 540. The side frame membersections 526 and 532 have suitable receivers generally designated by thenumeral 542 therein that are illustrated in detail in FIGS. 16a and 16band are arranged to receive a transverse body supporting beam 544therein. As later described, the transverse supporting beam 544 supportsthe body member 514 intermediate the end portions thereof.

The frame member 512 includes another transverse beam 546 secured to theframe rear sections 526 and 532 adjacent the universal connecting device530. The transverse beam 546 is arranged to support the rear end of theboom 516 by means of the connecting device illustrated in FIGS. 17 and17a.

The transverse beam 536 extends beyond the frame side members 518 and520 and is arranged to support the drive motors for the pair of rearpropelling wheels. The beam 538 also extends beyond the frame sidemembers 518 and 520 and has pads 548 and 550 thereon. The pad 548 isarranged to support an oil tank 552 and a hydraulic pump 554 asillustrated in FIG. 14. The pad 550 is arranged to support the tractioncontrol box 556. The transverse beam 540 is arranged to support thedrive motors for the intermediate propelling wheels.

The side frame front sections 528 and 534 are connected to each other inspaced parallel relation by means of beams 562 and 564. The beam 562extends beyond the side frame members 518 and 520 and has a pad 566thereon that, in turn, supports a controller 568 and a portion of thecable reel housing 572. The operator's compartment 574 is supported bythe end portion 576 of transverse beam 562. The wiring, hydraulic hosesand steering apparatus have been omitted from the embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 14 - 17 to more clearly illustrate the novel structure featuresof the haulage vehicle 510.

The universal connecting device for connecting the respective frame rearsections 526 and 532 to the frame front sections 528 and 534 isillustrated in detail in FIGS. 15, 15a and 16 and will be described inreference to the left side frame member 520. It should be understoodthat the universal connecting device 530 connecting the sections of theright side frame member 518 is of similar construction. The universalconnecting device 530 includes a first strap member 578 secured to thevertical flange 524 of the side frame front section 534 and extendsrearwardly therefrom. The strap member 578 has an aperture 582therethrough and the inner peripheral wall 584 of the aperture 582 hasan arcuate configuration as viewed in section in FIG. 15a.

A second strap member 586 has a body portion 588 secured to the verticalflange 524 of the frame side member rear section 532. A tongue portion590 extends forwardly in spaced relation to the vertical flange 524 offrame side member 520. The tongue portion 590 has an aperture 592therethrough that is aligned with an aperture 594 in the frame sidemember upstanding flange 524.

To connect the front and rear side frame sections 532 and 534 to eachother the respective apertures 592, 582 and 594 are aligned and a pinmember 596 is positioned in the respective apertures. The pin connectionbetween the respective strap 578 and the tongue portion 590 and sideframe 524 permits the front section 534 of the side frame 520 toarticulate in a vertical plane. The inner arcuate peripheral surface 584of aperture 582 permits transverse twisting or rotation of therespective side frame member sections 532 and 534 to each other. Thus,with the universal connecting devices 530 connecting the respectivesections of the side frames 518 and 520, the frame sections are free toarticulate in both longitudinal and transverse planes, so that thepropelling wheels are free to follow undulating road surfaces and remainin contact therewith to provide traction to the haulage vehicle throughall of the propelling wheels. The pin member 596 is suitably secured inthe aperture of the side frame upwardly extending flane 524 and has aring member 598 secured in a suitable recess to maintain the side framesections connected to each other.

It should be understood that one side frame of the haulage vehicle canemploy a universal connecting device similar to the universal connectingdevice 530 and the other side frame employ a universal connecting devicesimilar to the flexible strap type connecting device illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12. With the universal connecting device 530 the frontsections of the frame member 512 may be quickly disconnected from therear sections by removing the pins 596. This quick disconnect featurepermits rapid assembly and disassembly of the haulage vehilce 510.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the axle assemblies for supporting thepropelling wheels and the manner in which the axle assemblies areconnected to the frame member is illustrated. A rear axle assemblygenerally designated by the numeral 602 extends transversely between theframe members 518 and 520 and includes a pair of plate members 604 and606. The plate member 604 has a narrow end portion 608, an intermediateportion of increasing width 610 and a connecting portion 612 beneath thehorizontal flange 522 of frame side member 520. The intermediate portion610 has generally angular configuration in plan as viewed in FIGS. 14and 15 with an inner side edge 616 that converges toward the narrow endportion 608. The plate 606 has substantially the same configuration witha narrow end portion 618 positioned below the horizontal flange 522 ofside frame 520 and a relatively wide connecting end portion 622 beneaththe flange 522 of side frame 518. The intermediate portion 624 has anangular configuration in plan with a side edge 626 converging toward thenarrow end portion 618.

The narrow end portion 608 of plate 604 is secured to the flange 522 ofside frame 518 by bolt 628 and the opposite connecting portion 612 issecured to the flange 522 of side frame 520 by a pair of bolts 632 and634. The plate 606 is positioned with the angular side edge 626 adajcentto and spaced slightly from the angular side edge 616 of plate 604 andhas the narrow end portion 618 secured to the flange 522 by a secondbolt 636 and the connecting portion 622 secured to the flange 522 ofside frame 518 by bolts 638 and 640. With this arrangement, the axleassembly 602 comprises a pair of angular plates 604 and 606 with theirnarrow end portions 608 and 618 connected to opposite side frames 518and 520.

The plate 604 has a wheel unit support portion 642 extending outwardlybeyond the left side frame 520 and has a wheel unit 644 supportedthereon. A driven and steerable rear wheel 646 is mounted on the drivenand steerable wheel unit to support the left rear end portion of thevehicle frame 512. A drive motor 648 is supported on a portion of thetrasnverse beam 536 and is connected to the wheel unit 644 throughgearing in housing 652. Similarly, the adjacent plate 606 of axle 602has a wheel unit support portion 654 extending beyond the side frame 518and supporting a driven, steerable wheel unit 666. A propelling wheel668 is mounted on the wheel unit 666 and supports the rear left end ofthe vehicle frame 512. A propelling motor 672 is supported on theextending portion of transverse beam 536 and is drivingly connected tothe wheel unit 666 through gearing in housing 674. With thisarrangement, the axle assembly 602 supports a pair of propelling wheels646 and 668 and permits the plate portions 604 and 606 to twistlongitudinally as the propelling wheels 646 and 668 move over uneven,undulating road surfaces. The angular portions 610 and 624 of therespective plates 604 and 606 permit the plates to twist withoutimparting excess twisting stresses in the respective plates or in therespective frame members 519 and 520. The axle assembly plate 604 has abolt hole 676 therethrough adjacent the longitudinal axis of the haulagevehicle 510. Similarly, the rear axle assembly plate 606 has a bolt hole678 on the opposite side of the vehicle longitudinal axis adjacent tothe vehicle longitudinal axis. The bolt holes 676 and 678 are arrangedto secure the rear portion of the body to the rear axle assembly 602.

The intermediate axle assembly 682 has substantially the sameconfiguration as the rear axle assembly 602 and will not be described indetail. The axle assembly 682 has a plate 684 with the narrow endportion 686 secured to the flange 522 of the side frame 518 by a bolt688 and a connecting portion 692 connected to the flange portion 522 bya pair of bolts 694 and 696. The plate 684 has a wheel unit supportportion 698 to which an intermediate left wheel unit 702 is secured. Thedriven and steerable wheel unit 702 has an intermediate left propellingwheel 704 mounted thereon. A propelling motor 706 is supported on an endportion of transverse beam 540 and is drivingly connected to the wheelunit 702 through gearing in housing 708. The axle assembly 682 has asecond angular plate 712 with the narrow end 714 secured to thehorizontal flange 522 of side frame 520 by a bolt 716. The relativelybroad connecting portion 718 of plate 712 is secured to the horizontalflange 522 of side frame 518 by bolts 722 and 724. A driven andsteerable wheel unit 726 is supported on the end portion of plate 712extending beyond the side frame 518 and has a propelling wheel 728mounted thereon. A drive motor 732 is supported on an end portion oftransverse beam 540 and is drivingly connected to the wheel unit 726 bygearing in housing 734. With this arrangement, the intermediatepropelling wheels 704 and 728 follow undulating, uneven road surfacesand the angular configuration of plates 684 and 712 permit torsionaltwisting of the respective plates as the wheels follow uneven roadsurfaces.

A front axle assembly 736 has a unitary plate member 738 extendingtransversely to the side frame members 518 and 520 and is connected tothe horizontal flange 522 of side frame 518 by a bolt 740. Thetransverse beam 528 is connected to the horizontal flange 522 of sideframe 520 by a pair of bolts 742 and 744. A driven and steerable wheelunit 746 is supported on an end portion of the plate 738 and has adriven and steerable propelling wheel 748 mounted thereon. A front leftpropelling motor 752 is supported by an end portion of transverse beam564 and is drivingly connected to the wheel unit 746 through gearing inhousing 754. Similarly, a driven and steerable wheel unit 756 issupported on the other end of the transverse plate 738 and has a rightfront driven and steerable propelling wheel 758 mounted thereon. A drivemotor 762 for propelling wheel 758 is mounted on end portion oftransverse beam 564 and is drivingly connected to the wheel unit 756through gearing in housing 764.

With this arrangement, the front propelling wheels 748 and 758 areconnected to the front axle assembly 736 and the axle assembly which hasa relatively rigid plate 738 is rigidly connected to the side frames 518and 520. The front propelling wheels 748 and 758 follow uneven,undulating road surfaces and the vertical deviation of the respectivewheels is transmitted back through the plate 738 to the side frame frontmembers 528 and 534. The universal connecting means 530 between therespective side frame sections takes up the transverse deviation of theframe sections as the wheels follow the uneven, undulating road surface,so that twisting forces are not transmitted into the frame members 518and 520.

It should be understood, however, where desired, the front axle assembly736 may have a configuration similar to the intermediate axle assembly682 or rear axle assembly 602 to permit twisting of the sections of theaxle assembly. The front axle assembly 736 may, on the other hand, beconnected to the side frames 518 and 520 in a manner similar to the axleassembly 202 previously described with reference to FIGS. 1 - 12. Itshould also be understood that an axle assembly similar to the axleassemblies 146, 188 and 202, as described in reference to the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1 - 12 may be substituted for one or more of theaxle assemblies illustrated in FIGS. 14-17.

The side frames 518 and 520 have a portion of the horizontal flange 522removed therefrom and a body supporting beam receiver 542 is securedtherein and includes a plate 738 in each of the side frame members 518and 520. The body supporting beam receiver plate 738 has a generallyrectangular configuration with a rectangular opening 700 therein. Therectangular opening 700 has a greater vertical dimension than thedimension of the transverse body support beam 544 and has a steeringshaft aperture 710. The body support receiver plates 738 are secured tothe respective vertical flanges 524 of frame side members 518 and 520and are arranged to support the transverse body support beam 544.Fibrous pads 720 and 721 fabricated from a material such as brake lininghave clip members 730 and 731 secured to one surface. The fibrous pads720 and 721 are secured in the aperture 700 in spaced horizontalrelation to each other. The transverse body supporting beam 544 has andend portion 750 extending through the aperture 700 and is supported bythe fibrous pads 720 and 721 to provide a relatively rigid transversebeam 544 supported in the frame side members 518 and 520.

The vehicle body member 514 is similar in construction to the bodymember 14 illustrated in FIGS. 8 -10, with the exception that the bodymember 514 does not have the depending flanges 264 and 266 previouslydescribed. The body member 514 has vertical side walls 760, one of whichis illustrated in FIG. 16b, with an inturned flange portion 761. Anupper floor plate 763 is secured to the vertical wall 760 by means of anangle 766. Depending downwardly from the side wall inturned flangeportion 761 are a pair of angle members 768 and 772 that are illustratedin dotted (...) lines in FIG. 16a. The angles 768 and 772 are spacedfrom each other with the depending legs 774 and 776 spaced a dimensionsubstantially equal to the width of the transverse body supporting beam544. Fibrous pad 778 is secured to the underside of the wall inturnedflange 761 between the angles 768 and 772 and is arranged to abut theupper surface of the transverse body supporting beam 544.

The vehicle body 514 has a first pair of apertures 782 and 784therethrough (FIG. 14) adjacent the rear portion and a pair of apertures786 and 788 adjacent the front end portion. The body 514 is positionedbetween the frame side members 518 and 520 with the intermediate portionof the body supported on the transverse body supporting beam 544. Thedepending legs 774 and 776 limit the longitudinal movement of the body514 relative to the transverse body supporting beam 544. The bolt holes782 and 784 are in overlying relation with the bolt holes 676 and 678 inaxle assembly 602. Suitable bolts extend through the respective boltholes to secure the body 514 to both plates of the rear axle assembly602. Similarly, bolts extend through bolt holes 786 and 788 in body 514and through the underlying bolt holes in the plates of intermediate axleassembly 682. With this arrangement, the body 514 is secured to the axleassemblies by means of the vehicle and supported intermediate the bodyend portions on the transverse body supporting beam 544 to provide afour-point suspension for the body 514 on frame 512 similar to thefour-point suspension previously described with reference to theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 -12.

The body 514 has a pair of forwardly extending members 792 and 794, asillustrated in FIGS. 17 and 17a, connected to the opposite web portions796 and 798 of the channel members that extend longitudinally on thebody 514. The channel members are clearly illustrated in FIG. 10. Theforwardly extending members 792 and 794 are arranged in spaced relationto each other and have arcuate fron edge portions 802. A top plate 804is arranged to be positioned in overlying relation with the web andconnected to the transverse beam 546. The transverse beam 546 has anupstanding plate 806 with an outer semi-spherical edge 808 and anupstanding bolt 812.

The boom 516 is of substantially the same construction as the boom 16illustrated in FIGS. 5 -7 with the exception of the rearwardly extendingstrap 378. As illustrated in FIGS. 14 -17 and 17a, the boom member 516has a rearwardly extending hook-shaped member 814 secured to one of thevertical webs 816 of the channel members that extend longitudinallyalong the boom member 516. The hook-shaped member 814 has an arcuatesemi-circular inner surface 818 which is arranged to be positioned inoverlying relation with the circular portion 808 of upstanding member806 that is secured to the transverse beam 546. The boom member 516 isconnected to the frame member by means of the piston cylinder adjacentthe front and, as previously described, has pad members which abut thefront axle assembly 736. The rear end portion of the boom 516 isconnected to and supported from the transverse beam 546 by means of thehook-shaped member 814 being positioned in overlying relation with thecircular portion 808 of upstanding member 806. The forwardly extendingmembers 792 and 794 of body 514 are positioned on opposite sides of therearwardly extending hook member 814 to maintain the hook member 814 inoverlying relation with the upstanding member 806. The plate 806 ispositioned in overlying relation with the hook portion 814 and bolt 812secures the plate member in position to maintain the hook member 814 inoperative position between the members 792 and 794 and in overlyingrelation with the circular portion 808 of upstanding member 806. Withthis arrangement, both the boom end portion and the body front endportion are supported by the transverse beam 546 and are connected toeach other solely by the flexible plates 822 in a manner similar to theflexible plates 250 as previously described.

With the above arrangement, it will be appreciated that the frontportion of frame member 512 can be quickly disconnected from the rearportion by removing the transverse pins illustrated in FIG. 15a.Further, the boom 516 may be quickly disconnected from the frame 512 byremoving the top plate 804 illustrated in FIG. 17.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, we have explainedthe principle, preferred construction and mode of operation of ourinvention and have illustrated and described what we now consider torepresent its best embodiments. However, we desire to have itunderstood, that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated anddescribed.

We claim:
 1. An articulated haulage vehicle comprising,a frame memberhaving a front section and a rear section, each of said sections havinga front portion and a rear portion, means connecting said frame memberfront section to said frame member rear section to permit articulationtherebetween, a pair of driven and steerable rear wheels mounted onopposite sides of said frame member rear section adjacent the rearportion of said frame member rear section, a pair of intermediate wheelsmounted on opposite sides of said frame member rear section adjacent thefront portion of said rear section, a pair of driven and steerable frontwheels mounted on opposite sides of said frame member front sectionadjacent the front end portion of said frame member front section, abody member having a longitudinally extending haulage compartmenttherein, said body member mounted on said frame member rear section,said body member having a floor portion with a pair of side wallsextending upwardly therefrom, a boom member having a longitudinalhaulage compartment therein, said boom member mounted on said framemember front section, said boom member having a floor portion with apair of spaced side walls extending upwardly therefrom, said boom memberfloor portions include a rear edge portion, a transverse support membersecured to said frame member rear section adjacent the front portion ofsaid frame member rear section, a boom member connecting means extendingupwardly from said transverse support member, said boom member having aconnecting member extending rearwardly therefrom, said connecting memberpositioned in overlying relation with said upwardly extending boommember connecting means, flexible means connecting said boom member tosaid body member to permit articulation therebetween and forming anelongated longitudinal haulage compartment, and endless conveyor meansextending along the surfaces of said boom member floor portion and saidbody member floor portion, said endless conveyor means arranged toconvey material in said elongated longitudinal haulage compartment. 2.An articulted haulage vehicle as set forth in claim 1 in which,said pairof intermediate wheels are driven and steerable.
 3. An articulatedhaulage vehicle as set forth in claim 1 which includes,separate drivemotors for each of said driven and steerable wheels.
 4. An articulatedhaulage vehicle as set forth in claim 1 in which,said means connectingsaid frame front section to said frame member rear section permitsarticulation in a plurality of different planes.
 5. An articulatedhaulage vehicle as set forth in claim 1 in which,said flexible meansconnecting said boom member to said body member includes means to permitarticulation between said body member and boom member in a plurality ofdifferent planes
 6. An articulated haulage vehicle as set forth in claim1 in which,said boom member connecting means includes an upstandingportion with an arcuate upper edge portion, said connecting memberhaving an arcuate lower portion with substantially the sameconfiguration as said arcuate upper edge portion of said boom memberconnecting means, said connecting member arcuate lower edge portionpositioned in overlying relation with said boom member connecting meansarcuate upper edge portion.
 7. An articulated haulage vehicle as setforth in claim 1 which includes,a plate member positioned in overlyingrelation to said connecting member, means connecting said plate memberto said transverse support member.
 8. An articulated haulage vehicle asset forth in claim 1 in which,said boom member is supported on saidframe member on said transverse support member and on each of the framemember side members adjacent to said pair of front wheels.
 9. Anarticulated haulage as set forth in claim 1 in which,said frame memberincludes a pair of spaced longitudinally extending side frame members,transverse axle assemblies secured to said side frame members andextending outwardly beyond said side frame members, wheel units securedto the ends of said transverse axle assemblies, each of said wheel unitshaving a wheel mounted thereon.